Reaching Lifelong Goals

“Enrollment skyrockets at Linn Benton Community College” I somehow missed this article in our local newspaper.   I figured it out pretty quick on Monday when I saw  students parking on the lawn because the lots were overflowing!   This term in my Non Traditional Student Journey, I am taking an extra writing class.   I’ve already met my Oregon State University requirements for writing courses, but I could not pass up WR123 Research Writing.    Being a History Major, I felt this would be a valuable class for me down the line, so I jumped on it.   During the entire term we will be writing a major research paper on the topic of our choosing.  At first, I had the idea of writing a WWI History paper, focusing in on my favorite ace, Ernst Udet.   My independent study course this term will be an annotated bibliography of all sources about him.   Should be a great plug in…  I almost started feeling guilty, as this would be a no brainer for me.   My instructor made some comments about what research writing really should be which changed my mind.    Simply regurgitating facts and information does not make for a challenge in research writing.   I have to agree here.   I do have some ideas on how I would approach a paper on a Historical subject, and the research requirements for them, but…   How about a subject that is near and dear to all of us – NON TRADITIONAL STUDENTS.   We were told to write about something we were passionate about, something that can be extensively researched, and most important, a topic that we could put our own “spin” on.    How you interpret your research is more important than just listing a bunch of facts.    So….watch this space….I will include my findings and information about Non Traditional Students here on the Reaching Lifelong Goals blog.   After all, being a Non Trad is  what this blog’s title is really all about.   I have started some preliminary research, and there does seem to be alot of good information out there.   I need to narrow down the focus of the paper and not broad brush the topic of Non Traditional Students.    Ideas have been spinning around in my head (keeping me up all night, as well) about what areas of the Non Trad Experience need to be high lighted.   Statistics of non trad populations in student bodies will be enlightening, but I would like to write about the specific needs and challenges of the Non Traditional Student.    I have bookmarked some great academic articles regarding unique teaching methods for non trads, what different institutions are doing to adapt to high populations of non trads and papers on the specific needs in educating them.   Quite a bit of meat here.  Challenging topic to say the least.    I’ll keep this topic on the front burner here on this blog to keep everyone up to date on what I learn about my fellow non traditional students.    I’m off and running on this one…next post about it should be my Thesis for the paper.   Wish me luck!